American Foxhound

The
American Foxhound is a breed of dog that is a cousin of the English Foxhound.
They are scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.

Description

Appearance

While
standards call for the American Foxhound to be about 21–25 in (53–64 cm) tall
to the withers, and weigh anywhere between 55–71 lb (25–32 kg), many of them
are larger in structure (especially the show strains), with males standing
26–29 in (66–74 cm) and females 25–28 in (64–71 cm) and smaller in weight,
typically between 45–65 lb (20–29 kg). For years it was traditional to feed
Foxhounds on a diet of "dog bread", a variation on cornbread. The
legs of a Foxhound are very long and straight-boned. The foxhound's chest is
rather narrow. It has a long muzzle, and a large, domed skull. The ears are
wide and low-set. The eyes are hazel or brown, and are large and wide-set.

Coat

A
close, hard hound coat of medium length, and any color, though the combination
of black, white and tan is prevalent. American Foxhounds do tend to shed a
good amount of hair, but a weekly brushing will decrease shedding.

Defining physical characteristics

The
American Foxhound is taller and rangier than its cousin, the English Foxhound.
Also, this breed is known to have a musical bark, called a bay, when it is
hunting that can be heard for miles, probably inherited from the Grand Bleu de
Gascogne's signature howl. If competing in a dog show, some physical
characteristics that judges would look for would be a slightly domed skull,
long, large ears, large eyes, straight muzzle, well laid-back shoulders, a
moderately long back, fox-like feet, and a slightly curved tail. Though they
are traditionally tri-colored (black, white and tan) they can be any color.
They are one of the rarest breeds in the American Kennel Club.

Behavior

Temperament

The
American Foxhound has a very docile and sweet demeanor. A typical dog is
gentle, easygoing, and gets along with children and other animals. However,
they may act shy and reserved when around strangers.

Activity level

The
American Foxhound is a very active breed and very high energy. They require a
lot of exercise and do best in habitats where they have room to run. If they
live in a suburban area such as a neighborhood, they should have a fenced in
yard and be taken on multiple walks daily.

Trainability

Obedience
training is essential for this breed due to their independence and natural
instinct to follow a scent. A Foxhound who picks up a scent will follow it
while ignoring commands; training requires patience and skill because of the
breed's independence and occasional stubbornness. Because of its strong hunting
instinct, American Foxhounds should not be trusted off-leash. Most scent hounds
are bred to give "voice," but the Foxhound does not make a good
watchdog.

Health

This
breed is not generally a breed that carries genetic disorders. However they can
easily become overweight when overfed. A minor health risk in American
Foxhounds is thrombocytopathy, or platelet disease. This comes from poorly
functioning blood platelets and can result in excessive bleeding from minor
bumps or cuts. The treatment is usually based on the severity of the disease.
Owners will often have their American Foxhounds undergo blood tests so that the
condition can be caught early on. While dysplasia was largely unknown in
Foxhounds, it is beginning to crop up occasionally, along with some eye issues.
It is not typical or customary for Foxhound breeders to screen for any
hereditary disorders at this time. The breed's lifespan is generally 10–12
years. The American Foxhound is an energetic breed. According to some
veterinarians and trainers, it needs plenty of exercise, for example, a fairly
long walk followed by a game of fetch.